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James Burness & Sons
London and 3, Bute Crescent - Cardiff
138, Leadenhall Street

London, 30th November 1917
Messrs Worms & Co - Paris

Dear Sirs,
When speaking to you this afternoon we mentioned a conversation which we had with Mr. Auberge when we saw him recently regarding the "Coahuila".
Mr. Auberge asked whether you were buying steamers to which we replied you would shortly have your own shipbuilding yards where we understood you proposed to build any tonnage you required. Mr. Auberge then referred to the position after the war and said that in view of the large quantity of tonnage which was being built in the United States he was afraid that unless France & Great Britain acquired tonnage from America they would be left behind and that the trade of the world would gravitate into American hands.
He mentioned that he understood contracts can now be made in the States with the builders there by which a deposit was made in joint names bearing interest and the remainder of the money was payable in instalments as the work progressed on the steamers and he thought that if tonnage could be acquired in that way for use immediately after the war it would to some extent help to retain the trade on this side. He went on to say that this or some similar scheme had been placed before your Mr. Majoux in Havre and he would be very glad if when speaking to you on the telephone we could ascertain what you thought of the proposition.
On thinking matters over afterwards we confess that we did not quite understand the position inasmuch as none of these negotiations can have any reference to the position which Mr Auberge at present occupies at the Ministry of Shipping, but as we wished to retain his goodwill we thought we had better carry out our promise to mention the matter to you.
We are, dear Sirs,
Yours truly,

James Burness & Sons

Monsieur Auberge.
This gentleman was formerly a partner in Messrs. C. G. Ashdown & Co. and was called up to join the French Army shortly after the outbreak of war. At the expiration of his Partnership Deed we are informed that Messrs. Ashdown turned their business into a Limited Liability Company, and that he was not included therein.